South Sudanese living in Israel celebrated the birth of their new nation. Photo: Faithfreedom.org

28 JULY, 2011 (NSV) - Israeli Foreign Ministry announced Thursday that the state of Israel has begun full diplomatic works with the goverment of South Sudan.

This news came as the African Union voted the same day to welcome South Sudan as its number 54th member.

"The practical aspects of the relations such as accrediting ambassadors will soon be discussed through the diplomatic channels," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement that was obtained by HAARETZ.COM.

Meanwhile, Israeli Interior Minister, Eli Yishai, has called on the two nations to begin immedaite talks for returning the many South Sudanese refugees who fled to Israel during the war and are living there illegally.

The warm signs of relationship that are developing have some echoes in the words of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who came out in support of South Sudan days before the UN voted.

"We wish it success," Netanyahu said. "It is a peace-seeking country and we would be happy to cooperate with it in order to ensure its development and prosperity."

Those words came in addition to the fact that the state of Israel was one of the first nations to announce full recognition of South Sudan following the declaration of independence on July 9.